The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1887-11-12
AT THE LAST MOMENT.
ny LIZZIE NJ. MuLuERN.

lie perfect beauty OF summer twilight
fell around them, the last lingering ray of
the setting sun glinted on the pale gold Of
the girls hair, till it glowed with the burn
ished brightness the ancient artists loved.
The soft, low sigh OF the distant sea came
family to their ears, but the beauty of the
cleaning, the music of the sea, was moth
ing to them in that moment of passion and
pain--that moment, perhaps the most BIT
ter in Caryl Denyers life, with the tear
drenched eyes of Pearl Gray looking into
his, while he held her in his arms, it might
be for the last time.
1t had been bitter enough before, with
his poveity-for .he was only struggling
young doctor-the barrier between them,
but this evening, in passion of tears,
Pearl had told him she was the promised
wife of another.
.CaryPs face had grown ashen white, but
he never thought of blaming his darling,
for he knew how completely she was urder
her mothers control, not only because of
Mrs. Gray's stronger WILL but for prom
ise given her father on his deathbed.
He had heard the story from strangers.
Heard how Charles Gray had misjudged
his beautiful young wife, whom he had
never even brought to his own land, for he
had wooed and won her i'm another land,
and parted from her there.
Almost on his deathbed, he learned how
he wronged her in his jealous anger and
sent messenger to bring her to him, il she
could forgive the past but before she ar,
rived his spirit had passed to IFS God, but
not before he had made Pearl, the child he
had taken from her arms, promise 10 atone
to her mother for the wrong done her.
Promise me you will meyer willfuly dis.
obey her." he said; "that you will do all
you can to make her happy while with you."
Pearl made the promise, and, poor child
she was keeping it, if her heart broke in
the effort,
Like one stunned, Caryl listened Will,
she told him of the promise given to wee
Allan Fordyce.
"Oh, my darling, think what you are do
ing" he said; mot even mother has 9
| right to rule in matter like this
perhaps not" she answered sadly, ''bu
must keep my promise to the dead"
Deeper and darker fell the evening shad
ows, yet stIl he fingered, for it was hard I,
part, when parting might mean forever.
1t had all come so sudden TO Caryl Den
yer that he had scarcely time to realize it =
hardly knew what to plead with his darlin,
to do.
He knew if he used his power with her
she would give up all for his sake, and 70
moment he was tempted to ask her to g
with him-to let him place barrier be
tween herself and Allan Fordyce, but homo
conquered the impulse,
He had promised her mother, when
manfully told her of his love for Pearl, ths
he would never try to win her consent to
marriage that she, her mother, would nC
know of.
'lfshe married you without my consent,
she said 81 would never speak TO her agai
nay, | would hate her for her folly, an
that knowle ige, despite your love. woul
kill her."
lie knew Eunce Gray spoke the trutl
for he realized how Pearl worshipped IA,
: stately mother, seeing none of the failur,
so patent to his eyes, for he saw very clea
ly the utter selfshness of Eunice Gray
nature, so different from the clinging tel
derness of Pearl.
She was only seventeen, tins Yiolct-eyC
girl whom he loved so dearly, and so rare
beautiful, and he knew her mother meal
t that same fair lovlmess should bring its fl
, value in the matrimonial market, aud TIN
leave herself the position she coveted-pe
feet and untrammeled freedom-for she vi
a beautiful woman still, and barely thir
e six.
Caryl felt he must have time TO think.
9 lie felt Eunice Gray was playing son
deep game, but what he could not fthaoI
"You will meet me tomorrow eyenin
Pearlp' he said. Promise me. my darlin
you will meet me once againr'
So absorbed were they in themselves, til
they did not hear the light, but firm ST
that came down the pathway, till:
''When you release my daughter !
I Denver, will be pleased to talk with you
! .fnd Mrs. Gray stood before them.
A naughty, imperious woman, and lii
- wonder shy, sweet Pearl was ruled 10y J
81 in everything.
p She turned hereyes on the shrinking q
10 II will try TO believe you do not real
a how dishonorably-not to use harsl
term-you haYe acted, Pearl The betrotl
s' wife of one man is degraded-at least,
re my eyes-by the caIess Of another. HUI
re you need not answer me, nor wait for
either. I wish to speak with DR. Den
alone"
Without word, only one appeal
, glance at caryl, the girl turned in the din
tion Of the house, and Mrs. Gray and ca
faced each other
''Yon ought TO be proud OF yourself,
r. - 81. a